Elite Acoustics Engineering D6-8
 

This amp seems to check off all the boxes I am looking for in an amp. I talked to an engineer at the company and he answered a few questions that I had after looking at the documentation. It will be available in August for around $1,100 MSRP:

http://www.eliteacoustics.com/portfolio/d6-8-2/


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Those boxes being enough channels (4 mono, 1 stereo), phantom power on all four XLR inputs, 3 band EQ with sweepable mids, high bass filters on all channels, limiters on all channels, separate reverb and chorus feeds on all channels, DI out, feed for stereo with a second amp, notch filters on all channels, lithium ion battery power, speaker pole mount.

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From reading the webpage, it suggests that it has fully parametric eq on all three bands. Looking at the manual, that doesn't seem to be but maybe a nested menu?

From talking to the engineer this morning, there are a number of features that didn't make the manual. This is probably because it's a digital mixer and they can add features with firmware updates. For instance, there are notch filters on all channels. The knob are also buttons and there are depp er menus with double button presses. This is where the notch filter function is.

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The sound quality from these amps is very, very good. I have two sizes of Sunburst Gear amps and just bought one of the smaller EAE amps.

Not sure what the relationship is between EAE and Sunburst Gear is but the EAE is somewhat improved over the Sunburst - like a version 2. The battery in the smaller EAE lasts longer than the battery in either Sunburst model and the EAE has great sounding reverb.

I've done several small gigs with the Sunburst Gear amps and they are barely loud enough but they sound absolutely wonderful. The small EAE I just got is only suitable for a very small room but it is easy to run a line out to the larger Sunburst Gear. It's still very easy to drive all of them into breakup so setup is critical.

I'm doing a wedding this afternoon with the EAE+Sunburst setup. This will be solo acoustic nylon string guitar (Cordoba GK Studio). Probably rain so it will be inside. Outside would be a real test. Inside still a little iffy since I don't really know what to expect from the room. My other choice would be the Carvin AG300, which can handle a very large room, but it's a lot more to lug around and I have to change places several times for the ceremony.

Also got two of the Sunburst Gear compact speaker stands. This makes for a really compact setup and, with the XVive guitar wireless, no wires and quick setup.

I also have a Crate Limo and had a Taxi, which died, and neither can hold a candle to the sound quality of the EAE/Sunburst amps.

Interesting, I'm also running the baby Elite Acoustics (A1-4) along with a Sunburst Gear (same company) M3BR8 using the XVive wireless system and it both sounds wonderful and is a miracle of wireless convenience. I use just the A1-4 for very small rooms or in the park and you're right, the Canyon and Hall reverbs in particular are perfect for acoustic guitars - among the best I've heard. Super easy to daisy chain for somewhat larger gigs with these two speakers. I'll bet the big D6-8 is significantly louder and I'd love to hear someones' assessment on that.

It's good to hear such glowing reports of their other amps. I know that little things like the high pass filters and individual channel compressors will also help maximize what you can get out of this new amp.

My hearing has been damaged by lots of loud shows (both as a musician and as a soundman) and all I'm really interested in now is performing is performing with small groups in intimate low volume venues.

One of these plus a simpler version as an extension might be exactly what I need.

I've yet been playing hear a bad or even 'meh' report from a user of these. Anyone who doesn't like them out there?

How much difference do you see between the two sizes of amps? Is the bigger one still "barely loud enough"?

How did the wedding go?






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The wedding was outside after all. Got rained on just a little but the couple really wanted to do it outside. It was at a winery and it was beautiful.

They wanted two microphones for the ceremony so I set up the Sunburst M6BR8 on a short stand near the front and plugged two SM58s into it along with the line out from the EAE A1BR8. I played off to the side and had the A1BR8 near me.

This worked fine since the the mics were not for singing and there was no need for reverb. Of course I piled on the reverb for my guitar and that went through both amps.

The coverage was fine and it was loud enough for 100 people but just barely. Anyone thinking of getting these amps needs to be aware that you have to be sensitive to the gain and they might still not be loud enough for your needs.

I also played "cocktail music" after the ceremony at a different location. Crazy convenient to just pick up the whole affair and move it in one trip. Too bad the connection between amps isn't wireless. It is XLR so it could theoretically go a very long way but some sort of wireless would be really cool.

I play jazz using BIAB tracks played back from my iPad running the OneTrack app. Using Bluetooth the track playback is also wireless. I could play tracks from my phone and keep the phone in my pocket.

Both of the amps were on for more than two hours and the battery level indicators still had three lights (full).

I'll use this setup again. It is like playing through good studio monitors. Very rich and detailed.

M6BR8
http://acousticcountryblues.com/img/M6BR8.JPG

"I also have a Crate Limo and had a Taxi, which died, and neither can hold a candle to the sound quality of the EAE/Sunburst amps."

I wasn't suggesting that there's any comparison in sound quality. I'm glad you said this though because it affirms what I tell people looking for battery powered amps all the time - there are a ton of choices that'll work but there's very few that actually sound anywhere close to good. Still people are obsessed with the $150 price point, so I keep an eye on the bottom end of the market just to be sure people know what the choices are and I know what they can expect when they buy this stuff.

I'm intrigued by the Sunburst Gear/EAE amps and with this D6-8 in particular. There's a ton of competition coming at this higher end of the market (Hughes+Kettner Era1, Mesa Rosette, on the AC end, Array systems on the battery side) and it's going to be harder for someone who's already invested in an inverter/battery /charger system to jump in here, as that just widens the field of choices.

Paying attention to the owners of this expensive gear is going to be more important soon, so you don't have to buy twice...

I just found this video:

https://youtu.be/ZMrTnX1To7E


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Wow! That does check a lot of boxes!

Elite Acoustics Engineering D6-8
 

The one thing they got wrong in the review (I believe) is the way the aux sends work. In the manual it describes two aux sends as does the reviewer, but in a "sell sheet" on their web site it describes two TRS aux sends/returns which would be quite a lot more useful.


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There is actually quite a lot that this review misses: notch filters, sweepable parametric EQs, high pass filters, compressors, etc.


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Just now heard of these and they sound very juicy. The A48 looks awesome and the A14 is not much more expensive than a Mackie Freeplay. Chinese toy vs Made in the West QUALITY. No plastic junk here. Studio monitor quality. I really, really like. Getting all hot and bothered, GAS flare up, panting breath. Good Karma points vs the freeplay/maui 5?


Dear Santa........

NotValid, I don’t want to be a party pooper, but you should try and test drive these before ordering. There’s a lot to like for sure. But, there are some advantages to the cabinet design of the FreePlay in distributing sound more efficiently at very light weight.

Is anyone concerned that its only 40watts bi-amped. I wish it were higher. Nice features but a bit more juice would be nice too. I understand that brings the weight up. Its all a trade off.

Thanks for the info! Never heard of them. Checked it out and I'm definitely getting one!

I like the M2-6 for its angled shape and slightly larger woofer but the A2-5 has 48v phantom which I think I prefer as it would enable me to use my condenser mic. The A2-5 is also $100 cheaper than the M2-6.

I'm still debating on getting the freeplay. But everytime I look at it I think its just another disposable electronic landfill waste. How long until they stop updating their app and want you to buy something new instead? This EAE on the other hand is made with wood and metal and its made in the U.S with wage and environment regulations. When the mackie craps out what do you do? You throw it away. And when the EAE craps out? You get it fixed and she's good as new, like in the old days manufacturing things meant to last.
Plus this is mostly for me and small yoga studio performances so I need to make sure I can hear how bad I suck in the highest fidelity possible. And everyone comments how these things sound like studio monitors.
But I would like to try them out for myself.

Let me know how it goes. I’m intrigued by these units. They certainly have a lot to like.

Sweet. Let us know how she sounds. I'm checking out A4-8 because of its 8" woofer, looks like that would sound best for a small e-drum set with a kick drum. Plus it has 4 channels so I wouldn't need a mixer. Not too many YT videos of these things but the ones they do have sound really good. No chance for me to demo locally so I will most likely order from Thomann since they have a good return policy.

Hi! Has anybody actually tried one of these amps? I think i'll get the A4br8 but there are not so many reviews on the internet...

There are a few members here on AGF that has one of the EAE/Sunburst Gear amps. Not one bad word has been said. The only criticism is from people that needs more than 40w. I believe that need is going to be met soon as well as them coming out with a PLA like the Bose L1c or Maui 5. Can't say when they will be released as they wouldn't give me much info about products yet to be released. That said what they have now is quite versatile as many people seem to use these for small intimate gigs, personal monitors or even studio monitors for recording. Sound quality seems superb, almost always described as HiFi.
I was planning on getting one for myself for Christmas but I needed new hockey skates which cost the same as the A4-8. I play in a beer league 2x a week. Anyways my birthday is in January, so I will wait until NAMM to make my purchase descision.

Elite Acoustics Engineering D6-8
 

I just pre-ordered an Elite Acoustics D6-8 from the batch that is going to be made sometime in January 2018. The existing ones are completely sold out. Preorder price is $850 plus $40 shipping to Florida. They are throwing in the $70 carry bag.

I only expect the 40 watts to be enough for small listening gigs or as a monitor and mixer on larger gigs. That’s ok though. Most bigger places have some sort of a house PA anyway, and when they do, either there aren’t monitors or they have them but they suck. In bigger rooms without a house PA, I have several other systems. I’m buying this without trying it so I know I’m taking a chance. I expect it will be pretty amazing though. I’ll post what I think of it here after it arrives.

I don’t get the reason for the master eq section. On the A4-8, you already have 3-band eq on the 2 main channels. On the A2-5 and M2-6, you have great eq on channel 1 and no eq on channel 2 so why not just put the 3-band eq on channel 2 instead of the master section which will also affect channel 1? Maybe someone else can see something I don’t or maybe I’m not understanding something?

Trying to decide between one of these EAE units or the new Fishman battery-powered mini.

FYI, you can order the EAE’s on Amazon.

Spec comparison:
 

Spec comparison:

M2-6 $600
13”L x 11”W x 9”H
24lbs, 30W, pole mount
Notch Filter, EQ with mid sweep on 1 channel
Mute on 2 channels, Phase on 1 channel, pad on 2 channels
Reverb/chorus/delay; USB charger; battery level indicator
6-1/2” x 1-tweeter, 48v phantom, monitor shape
70Hz - 20k Hz; 6-8 hrs

A4-8 $700
10.90”L x 10.25”W x 16.40”H
28lbs, 40W, pole mount, 3-band eq on 2 channels
16 selectable effects; USB charger; battery level indicator
Mute on 2 channels, Phase on 2 channels; notch on channel 1
8” x 1-tweeter , 48v phantom
40Hz-22kHz; 6-8 hrs

D6-8 $850
10.90”L x 10.25”W x 16.40”H
28lbs, 40W
Full digital mixer built-in; midi in/out
Mute and Pad on 4 channels,
8” x 1-tweeter , 48v phantom
40Hz-22kHz; 6-8 hrs

FISHMAN MINI CHARGE $500
12" H x 13.7" W x 9.7" D
21.2lbs, 60W
mic 2-band eq; Phase on instr channel; reverb/chorus
6-1/2” x 1-tweeter,
Built-in tilt stand
80Hz – 20kHz, 12 hrs

Actually there’s a good reason for the extra EQ. These amps are designed to feed a PA and act as a stage monitor. The channel EQ goes to both the house PA and your monitor (the EAE amp and speaker). The three band is just for your stage monitoring.

Merry Christmas everyone.
I bought the A4-8, and it's great!
It looks good, it smells quality. The sound is great too in my opinion, although there's a little bit of white noise (maybe there's something to tweak, didn't have the time to look yet). My Taylor Gs Mini never sounded so good when plugged, compared to others PA and amps I had to plug it in.

Now, 40w isn't a lot BUT i played a gig with it just yesterday in a crowded pub, and it was more than enough. It wasn't even at 12 o'clock. Keep in mind that it was more of ambient music, ballads... while people where eating and talking. So i didn't need to crank it up. For bigger gigs I have an active speaker that will handle the job.
By the way the reverb is fine too. Haven't tested it outside yet and it will be crucial as I bought it also for busking.

I think you can't go wrong with this.

"The resulting clarity and sonic imaging cuts to all genres creating shimmering acoustic and expressive vocal performances."

Don't know how true or false this statement is as I've never been within 500 miles of one ... but at least they address the fact that a lot of acoustic guitarists care about their vocals, too. Which would seem like a simple enough thing ... except most higher end acoustic amp companies don't do it.